American Mash & Grain Borrowed Page Volume 2 landed on my desk at 110 proof, carrying a $75 price tag. Here is what I found.
Nose
110 proof, blended from a combination of American Single Malt, Single Pot Still, and Rye, $75 for a 750ml bottle. Color: The color is a deep, clear chestnut hue. The color is a deep, clear chestnut hue. Honey, vanilla, and cinnamon are forward on the palate. Behind that are darker, warm notes of plums, dates, baked apples, and banana bread. At the end of the nose, the dark notes intensify into dark chocolate. The strong proof makes itself known on the first sip. Where the nose is approachable and sweet, the strong kick of alcohol takes a few sips to acclimatize to. Eventually, cereal and honey sweetness begin to come through with pepper spice. The fruit from the nose is not as noticeable on the palate, but the dark chocolate comes back, especially on the finish where it is joined with malt and tobacco. At my first pour I was put off by the abrasive kick of the alcohol. Even for a higher-proofed whiskey it felt a bit intense for my preference. I re-approached it a few days later – the alcohol on the front was strong but more accessible. And the longer you sip it the sweeter it gets. rnrnI always find it fascinating when the nose is so distinct from the palate. I also enjoyed that I cant pin this whiskey to any one style due to the uniqueness and difference of the whiskeys included in the blend. This would be great in a craft cocktail or even a traditionally rye cocktail. I think enough of the rye spice comes through that it wouldnt feel out of place.rnrn Its perhaps not what I would reach for every time for a sipping whiskey, but I do like sipping it because it is a novel concept. I havent had a blend like it before.
Palate
Editor’s Note: This whiskey was either bought as a sample by Whiskeyful or provided to us as a review sample by the party behind it. Per our editorial policies, this in no way influenced the outcome of this review.
The Bottom Line
American Mash & Grain Borrowed Page Volume 2 is a perfectly respectable whiskey that does what it sets out to do. At $75, the value is reasonable — it will not blow your mind, but it will not disappoint you either. A reliable choice.
